TEACHING NOTES Introduction We are now in the last section of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus ends His sermon with a heavy emphasis on relational wisdom. This section contains many famous statements of Jesus as well as the most misunderstood and misused statements. Today’s passage includes one of the most misquoted teachings of Jesus—namely, “Do not judge.” ​ Matthew 7:1–2 ESV 1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Judge not = Grk. krinete - to decide or come to a final conclusion. This is perhaps one of the most misquoted and misunderstood statements of Jesus. In the modern, western mind we think Jesus is saying that we should not tell someone they are wrong or are doing something wrong. However, Jesus is not saying “have no opinion” or “do not correct sinful behavior.” Jesus saying that we should not come to a premature conclusion about someone simply by glancing at their behavior. Therefore, it could be translated as “Don’t make hasty condemnations.” Examples of Hasty Conclusions: I don’t think they’re a Christian, because they did _____. I think they’re a bad person, because they did _____. People who do _____ will definitely go to hell. That you be not judged = This phrase is the purpose statement of “judge not” meaning that it is the reason not to come to a conclusive opinion of others. Jesus teaches that those who draw hasty conclusions about others will be judged the same way. You reap what you sow. With the judgment your pronounce you will be judged = Literally, “with the condemnation you decide it will be decided toward you.” If you go around claiming to have infinite knowledge of a person’s heart and condemning them, the same will happen to you. With the measure you use it will be measured to you = The Greek word translated “measure” here is metron, which refers to a standard or instrument used to decide measurement. Jesus is saying that the standard that you use to condemn others will be used against you. You will condemned the way that you condemn others. Note: Jesus cannot be saying that we can’t correct others, because He also taught us to correct fellow believers. In Matt. 18:15-20, Jesus taught that we should confront sin individually first and if they refuse to repent we take others with us. If the person still refuses to repent, Jesus said we should tell the church. If they still refuse to repent, Jesus said to view them as an unbeliever. In 1 Cor. 5:1-13, Paul told the church to remove an unrepentant person from their gatherings. Therefore, we ARE taught to confront sin within the church and remove those who refuse to repent. What Jesus is teaching in the Sermon on the Mount is that we should not jump to conclusions without first going through the process in Matt. 18:15-20. Only God can discern a person’s heart and decide their ultimate destination. When we condemn, we are trying to take God’s place. ​ Matthew 7:3–4 ESV 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? Speck = Grk. karphos - sawdust or tiny splinter. Notice the wording of Jesus’ question: “Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye?” In other words, why do you even, or how can you even, see a speck in someone’s eye? This implies that you are paying too much attention to be able to find a speck in someone’s eye. Log = Grk. dokos - a timber or tree used as a pillar. Jesus uses the phrase “do not notice” which in Greek could also be translated “do not give careful attention.” This implies that if you are paying close enough attention to notice a speck in the eye of another, you are ignoring your own issues. How can you say… = How can you help someone with their speck if you have a tree coming out of your face? The implication is that you cannot help the other person and will certainly injure them if you try. ​ Matthew 7:5 ESV 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. First take the log out of your own eye = Deal with your own sin before you try to deal with the sins of others. If you are focused on dealing with your own sins, you are less likely to nitpick the behavior of others. Then you will see clearly = If you have a tree in your eye, you are not seeing clearly and cannot help someone else. But if you are effectively dealing with your own sin, you can see clearly to help others. This implies that we ARE supposed to help others when they are caught up in sin. ​ 1 Corinthians 5:12 ESV 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? Christians have no business judging/condemning unbelievers. Christians should be focused on the integrity of the church. James 5:19–20 ESV 19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. Confronting and restoring sinful believers is a beautiful picture of love. If we refuse to confront and restore believers because we are afraid of conflict, we are not practicing real love. Real love drives us to confront the behavior, forgive the repentant, and restore them to the family. ​ Matthew 7:6 ESV 6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. What does this mean? The best way to understand Jesus’ statement here is to look for other passages that seem to be saying the same thing: Prov. 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Prov. 13:19 “A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.” Prov. 14:7 “Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.” Prov. 17:10 “A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.” Prov. 18:2 “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” Prov. 23:9 “Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.” Prov. 26:4 “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.” Prov. 29:9 “If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.” Jesus is using metaphors here to communicate the value of what He has just taught about judging others. Most people refuse to deal with their own issues and will continue to nitpick the specks. Many people do not value what Jesus is teaching—like a dog or pig does not value pearls. Therefore, don’t waste your time trying to convince an evil person to do good. Trying to change willfully ignorant or willfully evil people is futile and will only bring you unnecessary suffering. Review: Those who condemn others will be condemned. Focus on your sin before you try to help others out of their sin. Don’t force truth on fools. Conclusion As we end our time together in worship and communion, we should pray for forgiveness of when we have condemned others and ignored our own sinfulness.